Former reality star Lauren Conrad has spoken out about her decision to step away from the spotlight at the peak of her fame on MTV's The Hills. In a rare interview, the 40-year-old fashion designer revealed that she never intended to remain in front of the cameras long-term.
Conrad told People magazine: 'I always looked at reality TV as a temporary thing to make my connections and then go on to my dream.' She left the show in 2009 to focus on her fashion career, launching her first collection with Kohl's later that year.
Now living in her hometown of Laguna Beach with her husband, William Tell, and their two sons, Conrad said she values her privacy. 'I really appreciate private moments,' she said. 'Nobody cares who I am here. It's such a privilege to be able to live my life for myself after putting many years on camera.'
Conrad first appeared on MTV in 2004 on Laguna Beach, which followed a group of high school friends. She became a fan-favourite for her fashion sense and relatability. Two years later, MTV launched The Hills, documenting her college life and internship at Teen Vogue.
In 2009, Conrad told Seventeen magazine she was leaving to 'stay sane,' explaining: 'My biggest thing with the show was that I wanted to walk away from it while it's still a great thing.' She will return for The Reunion: Laguna Beach, premiering on the Roku Channel on 10 April.
